I'm planning to get a Chromebook and use it mostly for internet browsing, email, and chromecasting. I've never used a Chromebook and would like to try one at a local store, but I'm impatient so may order today

Can you set up multiple user accounts on a Chromebook and does each user account have to be tied to a Google account?

I'm not looking to spend a lot (somewhere in the $200's) because it won't be my goto device and figure I can just upgrade in a couple years if I use it more than anticipated. Does anyone have experience with the Acer 720?

I can't help on your very specific questions about latest low-end models, but we have 2 Chromebooks and last summer I reasonably happily used a Chromebook Pixel (freebie!) as my main computer for a few months and still use it intermittently. Our other Chromebook which is one of the very first models (Samsung Series 5 circa 2011) still seems snappy enough for use and was our high schooler's only computer until like a year ago when he finally needed a "real" computer to run heavier-duty apps.

Last edited by freebeer on Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

I have the Acer 720 and am happy with it. I might have spent more than the $200 my wife paid for it to get the Samsung because I guess the quality may be better.
You can set up multiple logins, and each has it's own Google account - you log in with your Google password. You can also turn on the guest account.

I like it's simplicity. There is no software to buy - you can't install any, and there is no maintenance. You may miss defragging your hard drive, backing up your data and running your virus scan.

You lift the lid and it's on, just like opening the newspaper. I use it to read web news and email, and also watch movies with it using either Netflix of Amazon Prime.

HP Chromebook (2013 version): $279 (2GB RAM, 16GB SSD)
probably best design and display (IPS screen). microUSB charging (although went thru a recent recall for catching fire but this seems to be resolved now) allows you to use your cell phone charger on the road.
still uses Exynos ARM-based CPU (like samsung) so performance is not as good as Intel CPUs but still serviceable for webbrowsing.

Toshiba chromebook: $279 (2GB RAM, 16GB SSD)
similar look as samsung but this one has Intel CPU so better performance/battery life. screen not as good as HP

my take: i own the samsung and it is pretty good but i admit it gets sluggish with heavy browsing (multiple tabs/windows open with lots of streaming going on). if i had to buy one today, the toshiba or Acer would be my choice based on that. but i have a feeling better versions are coming out this year so if i could wait, i would.

GDBryan wrote:
You can set up multiple logins, and each has it's own Google account - you log in with your Google password. You can also turn on the guest account.

Thanks for the info. I was considering the Samsung too, but read that the Acer is better.

So you have to be signed into your Google account to use a Chromebook? That's too bad since I don't want Google tracking everything.

Hahahahaha - then you definitely don't want a Chromebook my friend!

Well OK you could wipe it and put Linux on it but then you are just talking cheap PC HW and I'm not sure Chromebook is cheapest and certainly not most convenient for running Linux.

I don't think it's a deal breaker, I do like the added security of a Chromebook and favor the Chrome browser over others. However, I'm sure Google already has a big enough history of me since I use their services quite a bit. Maybe I'll just create a new Google account for the Chromebook and create a new one every year. I'm guessing I won't be able to check my regular gmail account on the Chromebook if I set up a new account, so that would be one tradeoff.

Also, if you have an iOS device or Android device, can't Apple and Google track every place you go since you need to link your accounts to use the devices?

Last edited by sunnyday on Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

GDBryan wrote:
You can set up multiple logins, and each has it's own Google account - you log in with your Google password. You can also turn on the guest account.

Thanks for the info. I was considering the Samsung too, but read that the Acer is better.

So you have to be signed into your Google account to use a Chromebook? That's too bad since I don't want Google tracking everything.

Hahahahaha - then you definitely don't want a Chromebook my friend!

Well OK you could wipe it and put Linux on it but then you are just talking cheap PC HW and I'm not sure Chromebook is cheapest and certainly not most convenient for running Linux.

I don't think it's a deal breaker, I do like the added security of a Chromebook and favor the Chrome browser over others. However, I'm sure Google already has a big enough history of me since I use their services quite a bit. Maybe I'll just create a new Google account for the Chromebook and create a new one every year. I'm guessing I won't be able to check my regular gmail account on the Chromebook if I set up a new account, so that would be one tradeoff.

You can install a chrome browser extension AVG Do Not Track from the Chrome Webstore to monitor who is tracking your activity and disable their tracking.

pochax wrote:Samsung (2012 version): $200-249 depending on vendor (2GB RAM, 16GB SSD)
lightweight - plasticky version of macbook air design. CPU getting old in the tooth (Exynos ARM-based). screen lackluster.
...
my take: i own the samsung and it is pretty good but i admit it gets sluggish with heavy browsing (multiple tabs/windows open with lots of streaming going on).

I wouldn't buy an old used one because of this. I've seen several reports on models using the newer Haswell chips, and even cheap Haswell Chromebooks are reported to be very fast, even with many tabs.

I've had a 720 since it first hit the market, you can sign into as many Google accounts as you want just open a new tab and click your avatar (picture in the top right hand corner) then click the add new account button and sign in with a different account.

The security issue is a a moot topic since your ISP tracks 100% of what you do there is absolutely nothing you can hide on there pipe without encryption and all of them share data with law enforcement and/or the NSA to some degree -- with or without a subpena depending on the ISP. Without full encryption at both ends (think MPLS lines) anything you send is going to hit a Google server sooner or later.

I personally own a Samsung Chromebook and am 100% pleased with the performance.
If I had to buy another chromebook today I would try the Acer in link below.
It is the number 2 seller at Amazon ,right behind Samsung

pochax wrote:Samsung (2012 version): $200-249 depending on vendor (2GB RAM, 16GB SSD)
lightweight - plasticky version of macbook air design. CPU getting old in the tooth (Exynos ARM-based). screen lackluster.
...
my take: i own the samsung and it is pretty good but i admit it gets sluggish with heavy browsing (multiple tabs/windows open with lots of streaming going on).

I wouldn't buy an old used one because of this. I've seen several reports on models using the newer Haswell chips, and even cheap Haswell Chromebooks are reported to be very fast, even with many tabs.

Not sure why I'd buy a chromebox for $179 when I can get a chromebook for $199. I'd prefer a notebook anyway.

As far as the Touchscreen, I don't think I'd use that feature much. After owning a HP Touchsmart desktop and never using the touch capabilities, I can see why Steve Jobs felt a certain way about combining keyboards and touchscreens.

brad.clarkston wrote:I've had a 720 since it first hit the market, you can sign into as many Google accounts as you want just open a new tab and click your avatar (picture in the top right hand corner) then click the add new account button and sign in with a different account.

The security issue is a a moot topic since your ISP tracks 100% of what you do there is absolutely nothing you can hide on there pipe without encryption and all of them share data with law enforcement and/or the NSA to some degree -- with or without a subpena depending on the ISP. Without full encryption at both ends (think MPLS lines) anything you send is going to hit a Google server sooner or later.

True about ISPs, but I doubt they track things as closely and can't analyze big data like Google. Plus Google has a ton more information than ISPs about anyone who uses their products. I'll still get a Chomebook (it's not a big concern of mine) but I'm not a huge fan of a company collecting tons of information about me.

Toons wrote:I personally own a Samsung Chromebook and am 100% pleased with the performance.
If I had to buy another chromebook today I would try the Acer in link below.
It is the number 2 seller at Amazon ,right behind Samsung

sunnyday wrote:Not sure why I'd buy a chromebox for $179 when I can get a chromebook for $199.

It does seem a little expensive, but maybe has better quality components than a $200 chromebook, for better reliability. (I get the impression chromebox is being targeted to enterprise as well as consumer.) I also didn't compare to detailed specs of the cheapest chromebook, so it may be faster, etc. Fanless so should be silent, and is tiny.

sunnyday wrote:
But that just blocks cookies and ad networks, correct? I don't think it would prevent Google from tracking everything you do if you're signed into Chrome

Yep, you're right - you can't escape google. just by using a chrome browser you're pretty much stuck getting tracked by Google. hope you are happy with your purchase - enjoy it!

If you don't want anyone to track you, don't use the internet (or credit cards or a phone or ...). Your IP address and the information your browser exposes in order to function are enough to track you.

Consider that every email provider blocks spam. They do it by "reading" your email.

sunnyday wrote:
But that just blocks cookies and ad networks, correct? I don't think it would prevent Google from tracking everything you do if you're signed into Chrome

Yep, you're right - you can't escape google. just by using a chrome browser you're pretty much stuck getting tracked by Google. hope you are happy with your purchase - enjoy it!

If you don't want anyone to track you, don't use the internet (or credit cards or a phone or ...). Your IP address and the information your browser exposes in order to function are enough to track you.

Consider that every email provider blocks spam. They do it by "reading" your email.

My main thing is that I don't want one single company storing all of the information about me, especially if I can prevent. I won't go to big extremes and still use a lot of Google products.

Say I use Chrome but I'm not signed in, have a dynamic IP address, took other preventative measures (cleared cookies, etc), and don't go to Google websites. How does Google track me in that case?

lazyday wrote:Why focus on google? I believe facebook for example gathers data from several companies, even for people who have never used facebook.

For me personally, Google has a ton more information about me than Facebook.

And?

Did you read my previous post? ...

sunnyday wrote:My main thing is that I don't want one single company storing all of the information about me, especially if I can prevent. I won't go to big extremes and still use a lot of Google products.

Say I use Chrome but I'm not signed in, have a dynamic IP address, took other preventative measures (cleared cookies, etc), and don't go to Google websites. How does Google track me in that case?

I got the very first samsung model in 2011 which was one of the first two to models to come out after the prototypes. Haven't had a single problem with it, and I love it. Using it right now, and half the time my GF uses it instead of her macbook pro because it is easier to just pick up and use(faster boot, lighter). It also gets abused a lot more. Low price and no fear of losing data we are sadly more careless with it than a tablet. Picking it up one handed, leaving it on the edge of surfaces... dropping it... there is currently a coffee stain on its white shell... Regardless it works as well, no BETTER, than the day I bought it(thanks to more apps and updates).

Yes multiple users can be on it. Your 'user' is just your gmail account. So actually you can log into ANY chromebook using your gmail account and everything should carry over. You won't be able to access anything else someone has saved on the hard drive of the other chromebook or anything you have saved only to the hard drive(so not cloud) of your own chromebook, but otherwise it will work just like the one you have.

Say I use Chrome but I'm not signed in, have a dynamic IP address, took other preventative measures (cleared cookies, etc), and don't go to Google websites. How does Google track me in that case?

To do this on a chromebook would require being in guest at all times. Your login is your gmail account. Can't remember how I found it, but there is an option where you can see a lot of the data google has on you... and delete it if you wish. I don't think its everything though, but a pretty good junk. Of course if you try it immediately warns you that it will negatively affect searches and spam filter. I rather like my spam filter, there are 3 new emails in my inbox and 430 emails in spam. No need for a second bogus email address when the spam filter is that good.

A Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet with full Windows 8 is available at the same price point and is a bit more full featured. Something to think about - I am seriously considering picking up. The only thing I am waiting for is for Intel to upgrade the Atom processor powering these tablets enough to emulate current generation android after which I would have the best of both worlds! Probably will be another year since this next generation of Atom processors will be focused on form factor and power savings to allow Intel to break into the tablet/phone market.

i don't think it helps in most situations - but i wonder if multiple tabs and streaming HD content would push the 2GB. and also, i have to wonder - why did Google put 4GB in the Pixel if it doesn't help?

HP Chromebook (2013 version): $279 (2GB RAM, 16GB SSD)
probably best design and display (IPS screen). microUSB charging (although went thru a recent recall for catching fire but this seems to be resolved now) allows you to use your cell phone charger on the road.
still uses Exynos ARM-based CPU (like samsung) so performance is not as good as Intel CPUs but still serviceable for webbrowsing.

Toshiba chromebook: $279 (2GB RAM, 16GB SSD)
similar look as samsung but this one has Intel CPU so better performance/battery life. screen not as good as HP

my take: i own the samsung and it is pretty good but i admit it gets sluggish with heavy browsing (multiple tabs/windows open with lots of streaming going on). if i had to buy one today, the toshiba or Acer would be my choice based on that. but i have a feeling better versions are coming out this year so if i could wait, i would.

2013 HP Chromebook 11 and 2012 Samsung ARM are silent. No fan, no magnetic hard drive.
That HP does not have wired ethernet or USB 3, and uses SlimPort for video output.

motodoc42 wrote:You might want to look at the HP Chromebook 14. I've had one for 2 months now and like it a lot. 14" screen is nice. It's fast and easy to use. I bought it from Amazon. Check it out there.

When I purchased for my daughter, for $50 more this was available with 4 GB RAM and and 500 MB per month of data. Seemed like an easy call, and the computer has been great so far. The data plan is just a bit of a safety net if for example she needed to work on homework during a long car ride, or elsewhere without wi-fi access.

Just bought HP Chromebook 14 online at Walmart for $349 (includes T-Mobile when you can't get on wifi).....not a bad little machine for the price. Multiple users can use it and it's user friendly once you get the hang of it.

Just got the Acer 720. The build quality is a bit better than expected, although I wasn't expecting much considering its a $200 computer. The screen could be better, but I'm used to my MBP retina, so that's not a fair comparison. Battery life seems to be about 6 hours although I haven't tested it. Seems snappy enough. Overall I'm satisfied for $200 and think I'll get some use out of it.

I'm thinking of using a Chromebook as a desktop, connected to a monitor and keyboard.

Chromebook users,

(1) Which model do you have?

(2) Under what conditions does it slow down your work or play, compared to faster hardware? If you have Crouton installed, please say so, as it may cause some people problems with the Chrome OS boot.

(3) If yours has a fan, what would you compare its volume to? Could you hear it in a completely silent room from 20 feet away? What is the sound quality: buzzing. whooshing, harsh, pleasant, etc? Does it cycle often, so it may be hard to get used to the noise? If you websurf without using video, does it stay off, or somewhat quiet?

(4) If you use wired internet, have you had problems connecting? Most models have USB but no wired ethernet port, has USB-ethernet caused problems, or slowed access to a gigabit NAS?

(5) Does your model have HDMI or other video ports? If you tried SlimPort for video, did it work well?

(2) Under what conditions does it slow down your work or play, compared to faster hardware? If you have Crouton installed, please say so, as it may cause some people problems with the Chrome OS boot.Gets a little slow shortly after startup (esp if it is updating itself), HD youtube playback, multiple tabs open (>5-6) (No crouton)

(3) If yours has a fan, what would you compare its volume to? Could you hear it in a completely silent room from 20 feet away? What is the sound quality: buzzing. whooshing, harsh, pleasant, etc? Does it cycle often, so it may be hard to get used to the noise? If you websurf without using video, does it stay off, or somewhat quiet?Fanless

(4) If you use wired internet, have you had problems connecting? Most models have USB but no wired ethernet port, has USB-ethernet caused problems, or slowed access to a gigabit NAS?Wireless

(5) Does your model have HDMI or other video ports? If you tried SlimPort for video, did it work well?HDMI out. no SlimPort.

, the decision has more to do with future applications than current real-world use. Think of it as a ‘chicken before the egg’ deal.
“The main reason why we’re going down the touchscreen road is to encourage developers to start making applications that are touch-sensitive,” Goffredo explained to Lifehacker.
“At this stage, it’s more about the browsing experience and manipulating photos; zooming in and zooming out. But we do see the market maturing as more and more [touch] Chromebooks go out.”
Goffredo said that Acer wasn’t just testing the waters with the C720P and will be fully committed to touch-based Chromebooks moving forward:
“We’ve got a detailed roadmap in place. This year we’ll be releasing another touch-based product. The current plan is to release a non-touch and a touch model of each product. So its definitely a big inclusion in our roadmap moving forward.”
We had a brief play with the Acer C720P’s touch screen and found it to be reasonably responsive, although it’s obvious that the OS wasn’t designed with touch functionality in mind.
Moving applications around the screen was second-nature, but the interface struggled when it came to manipulating small icons. It took several attempts to close a browser window, for instance.

Love my HP14 (except for the color!) and think the screen is fine for general use. Take a look at the reviews on Amazon from real people. I'm always wary of the "professional" reviewers. But, if you're looking for the latest and greatest, the new Toshiba with the 13.3 inch screen (CB35-B3340) appears to be the one to beat for now.

Postmon wrote:Love my HP14 (except for the color!) and think the screen is fine for general use. Take a look at the reviews on Amazon from real people. I'm always wary of the "professional" reviewers. But, if you're looking for the latest and greatest, the new Toshiba with the 13.3 inch screen (CB35-B3340) appears to be the one to beat for now.

Your right about the reviews. Glad to hear that the HP14 is working for you. I need to go take a look at one. At my age the larger display is appealing.

Very satisfied. Don't run all my kids favorite games (just some), but that's a good thing. Very easy for them to learn, all their stuff is cloud-backed up, they can find apps they need and install them themselves in <30 seconds, and for free. They are empowered and happy. Wifi printing from ChromeOS is a little wonky....not sure if it is the Samsung printer or google. Perfect for kids HW computer.

And Dad does not have to spend hours installing MS Software, playing with Disk partitions, backing up, etc.

And if they kill it doing something stupid....$219 is a nice ceiling to have on the price.

I've had the Acer for some time now and I use it a lot when I'm on the road. It's loaded with connection options (Ethernet RJ 45, 3 usb ports and vga). It's lite enough to toss in your backpack without breaking your back.